FAQs

FAQs regarding influenza A(H1N1)

What is the University doing to respond to the outbreak?

The University continues to monitor the situation and will be guided by the advice and recommendations issued by the World Health Organization and the Australian Government. The University has developed UWS Pandemic Response Guidelines, which are in accordance with the World Health Organization ‘Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response’ guidelines and the Australian Government’s ‘Australian Health Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza’.

Will classes be cancelled or campuses closed?

All campus classes and activities are operating as normal, including scheduled examinations. The University is closely monitoring the situation and will be guided by the advice and recommendations issued by the World Health Organization and the Australian Government.

Is an effective vaccine already available against the new influenza A(H1N1) virus?

Yes, a free vaccine against the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus is available, and the Australian Government aims to vaccinate:

• vulnerable groups to prevent severe disease, PLUS
• a large enough proportion of the Australian population to slow transmission. Vaccination will be targeted to people likely to spread the virus to protect the wider population.

For more information on where to get your FREE vaccination call 1802007 or visit http://www.healthemergency.gov.au 

Is it safe to travel overseas?

Before considering travel to overseas destinations you should regularly check the Commonwealth travel advice on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website: http://www.smartraveller.gov.au

How can I get more information?

Regularly check these websites for Commonwealth travel advice and updates on the prevalence of suspected or confirmed cases:

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: http://www.smartraveller.gov.au
World Health Organization: http://www.who.int/en
Department of Health and Ageing: http://www.health.gov.au

You can also call the Commonwealth Swine Influenza Hotline on 1802007.

Which countries are affected?

For a regular update on which countries have reported confirmed cases of influenza A(H1N1), please refer to the World Health Organization website: http://www.who.int/en

What is the number of confirmed cases in Australia?

For an up to date list of confirmed cases in Australia, and other countries, please refer to the World Health Organization website: http://www.who.int/en

Is influenza A(H1N1) the same thing as swine flu?

Yes, the World Health Organization made a decision to refer to the swine flu as influenza A(H1N1) from 30 April 2009.

What are the signs and symptoms of influenza A(H1N1)?

Early signs of influenza A(H1N1) are flu-like, including fever, cough, headache, muscle and joint pain, sore throat and runny nose, and sometimes vomiting or diarrhoea.

How do people become infected with influenza A(H1N1)?

Outbreaks in humans are now occurring from human-to-human transmission. When infected people cough or sneeze, infected droplets get on their hands, drop onto surfaces, or are dispersed into the air. Another person can breathe in contaminated air, or touch infected hands or surfaces, and be exposed. To prevent spread, people should cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing, and wash their hands regularly.

What does pandemic alert phase ‘PROTECT’ mean?

Pandemic virus is mild in most but severe in some and moderate overall. This phase sits alongside CONTAIN and SUSTAIN phases with a greater focus on treating and caring for those more vulnerable to severe outcomes.

How can I protect myself and prevent illness?

Practise general preventive measures for influenza to prevent infection, as recommended by the NSW Department of Health:

• washing your hands regularly
• covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing
• avoiding physical contact with sick people
• staying at home when sick.
  

What should I do if I have flu symptoms?

If you display flu-like symptoms, please stay at home and do not come to University.

Students should seek medical advice, and if sick during the scheduled examination period, obtain a Medical Certificate and follow the steps as outlined on the examinations web pages (http://www.uws.edu.au/exams). If you are ill and cannot sit an exam you will need to apply for a deferred examination. Alternatively, if you become ill during an exam or are ill and cannot sit a deferred exam you can apply for special consideration. More information is available at http://www.uws.edu.au/specialconsideration.

Staff members should advise their supervisor and seek medical advice. If you have suspected or confirmed influenza A(H1N1), please advise Andrew Robb, Manager Occupational Health, Safety and Information Services, at a.robb@uws.edu.au or on 9852 5177.

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